Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could provide some tips or suggestions on a easier way to get the IV arm skin back on Sim Man.  We fought with it yesterday, twice, for two Sim Men.  Also, we had to remove the skins because they leaked and we are looking for a different way to set the arm up to prevent this from happening again.  If you have a picture of the configuration you use, that would be VERY helpful.

 

Thanks,

Karen Clenney

Wallace Community College

Dothan, AL

 

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Karen Clenney, B.A., M.S.
Faculty Support Technician
Wallace Community College
Dothan, AL

Hello Karen,

I have yet to replace the arm skin on SimMan, but I know it's coming.

I have replaced the skins many times on our IV arms that we use for practice. When I first had to replace one, I also asked what was the best way to change it and I was told to use baby powder. When you get the old skin off and start to replace it, use a lot of baby powder. What I found out was that it was still very hard to do. So I quit using that techniqe and started using mineral oil. I cut the old skin off, take out the tubing, and clean the arm (without skin) with a 2:1 bleach solution, to help get rid of bacteria, junk, etc.. I replace the tubing in the arm and tape it in place (use tape as this will help keep it stablized when pulling the skin back on). Apply small amount of mineral oil to arm, and pull the skin over the arm. As you progress to the wrist area of the arm, you will have have to squeeze it so that the smaller diameter of the skin can pass down it.

To delay in having to replace your IV arm skin on SimMan regularly, prior to starting your scenario place a hep-loc in SimMan and start your simulation with it already in place. Just add it to your report that you give to the learner. Just some food for thought.

 Hope this helps,

 

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Gerald Songer RN
Ouachita Technical College
One College Circle
Malvern, Ar 72104
1.800.337.5000 Ext 1204
gsonger@otcweb.edu

I found that using dish soap worked well for replacing the skin. It only takes a small amount. I squirt some dish soap into the new arm skin, close off the open end, and tilt the arm skin back and forth to coat the inside well. After that, I pour out the excess. Just like Gerald mentioned, taping the veins in place helps stablize them. Some people use rubber cement, which also works. But the tape is a little cleaner.

Dave Rodgers

Hi all,

We have super glued the veins in place and then slid the arm skin (lightly powdered) on over the hand and wrist.  To go up the arm, use a blow dryer and heat the arm skin.  This works so much faster than anything else and is much cleaner!

Hope this helps.

Dani

Thanks to everyone who has responded!  Your suggestions are VERY helpful!

Have a great day,

Karen 

 

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Karen Clenney, B.A., M.S.
Faculty Support Technician
Wallace Community College
Dothan, AL